System and method for embellishment placement

ABSTRACT

A method for embellishment placement is provided. More specifically, an automated method for determining placement of embellishments for an item, such as a jewelry item, is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises, determining and setting values for parameters, creating offsets along a portion of the item to be embellished, setting points along the offsets, randomizing the points, adding decorative features to the item, and eliminating points based on the parameter values. After points violating the parameter values have been eliminated, the remaining points comprise positions for embellishments.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a method for embellishment placementand, more specifically, to an automated method for determining positionsfor embellishments placement for items such as jewelry.

BACKGROUND

Embellishments, such as stones or beads (raised portions of metal on alike metal substrate) are frequently used to decorate jewelry items suchas rings, bracelets, necklaces, pendants, earrings, etc. In many cases,such as championship rings, it is desirable to have a plurality of smallstones 12, such as shown in the ring 10 of FIG. 1, to create visualimpact. Similar visual impact can alternatively be created by providingmetal beads 22 along the surface of the ring 20, such as shown in FIG.2. Regardless of the type of embellishment provided, for example stonesor beads, it is often desirable that the placement of the embellishmentsfills the space on the ring and appears random.

Generally, to create placement positions for embellishments, a designermanually determines placement of each individual embellishment. Suchmanual determination is time-consuming and costly. Therefore, a needexists for an automated process for determining embellishment placement.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A method for embellishment placement is provided. More specifically, anautomated method for determining placement of embellishments for jewelryitems is provided.

In one embodiment, a method for determining positions for embellishmentplacement on an item is provided. The method comprises determining andsetting values for at least one parameter, setting points on the itemand randomizing the points. The method further comprises eliminatingpoints based on the at least one parameter and using the remainingpoints as positions for embellishments.

In another embodiment, a method for determining positions forembellishment placement on a ring is provided. The method includesproviding a ring face having a perimeter and a center boundary,determining at least one parameter, and setting values for the at leastone parameter. The method further includes creating offsets along thering face, setting points on the offsets, and randomizing the points.The method then includes eliminating points based on the at least oneparameter and using remaining points as positions for embellishments.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of thepresent invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description. As will be apparent, the inventionis capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the detailed description is to be regarded as illustrativein nature and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a ring having a decorative feature and a plurality ofstones on the face thereof.

FIG. 2 illustrates a ring having a decorative feature and a plurality ofbeads on the face thereof.

FIG. 3 illustrates workflow diagram of an automated method fordetermining embellishment placement in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates the face of a jewelry item.

FIG. 5 illustrates the face of a jewelry item having curves and pointssuperimposed thereupon in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A method for embellishment placement is provided. More specifically, anautomated method for determining placement of embellishments for items,such as jewelry items, is provided. Jewelry items, such as rings, oftenhave a face that has one or more decorative features. In addition to afocal point, such as a large stone, letter, or icon, a plurality ofsmall embellishments, such as stones or beads, may be provided on theface. FIG. 1 illustrates a ring 10 having a decorative feature 16provided on its face 14. In addition to the decorative feature 16, aletter in FIG. 1, the ring includes a plurality of small stones 12 andbeads 13. The decorative feature 16 may be a custom decorative detailsuch as a stone, a feature where paint, such as enamel paint, may beadded, a detail that may be fixed in tooling, a letter or icon that maybe filled with paint or may contain stones, etc. The beads 13 maycomprise metallic knobs formed of the same metal as the substrate item.The beads 13 thus may add shininess and decoration similar to that ofstones. The stones 12 and beads 13 are provided within and without thedecorative feature 16. Each stone 12 is set on the face 14 of the ring10, for example in prongs provided at the stone seat of each stone 12.

FIG. 2 illustrates a ring 20 having a decorative feature 26 and aplurality of beads 22 on its face 24. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, thebeads substantially fill the face 24 outside of the decorative feature26. Stones and beads may be referred to interchangeably throughout thisdescription and such discussion is intended to cover both as well asother types of embellishments.

While the present disclosure makes specific reference to rings, it willbe understood by those skilled in the art that portions of the disclosedmethod may be used to embellish any type of jewelry and may further beextended into other areas. Further, the method disclosed herein may beused for producing random patterns in a confined region on other items.For example, the method may be applied to diplomas, announcements, andother printed materials. Objects being embellished may comprise anysurface including planar surfaces and/or curved surfaces, or any solidincluding faceted solids and triangulated models. As used herein, theterm “embellishment” may refer to any feature placed on a surface of anitem, including, for example printed features, physical features such asbeads or stones, and others.

FIG. 3 is a workflow diagram illustrating an automated method 30 ofdetermining embellishment placement in accordance with one embodiment.As shown, parameters are determined regarding positioning of theembellishments [block 32]. Next, values for each parameter are entered[block 34]. Points are set on the item. Setting of the points maycomprise creating offsets or curves along the portion of the item to beembellished [block 36] and setting points along the offsets [block 38].These points are randomized [block 40]. Decorative feature(s), such as alarge central stone, a letter or icon, or other, may be added [block42]. Based on the added decorative feature(s) and the parameter values,points may be eliminated [block 44]. After points violating theparameter values have been eliminated, the remaining points comprisepositions for embellishments. Because the method produces randomplacement of the embellishments, after positions have been established,the data may be compacted to open space for more positions.

Each of the steps of FIG. 3 will now be discussed in more detail.

With specific reference to determining parameters regarding positioningof embellishments [block 32] and entering values for each parameter[block 34], such parameters may be, for example, relative distances ofthe embellishments to other features of the item. For example, oneparameter may be the distance of one embellishment to another. This maybe referred to as d₀. Another parameter may be the distance of anembellishment to a center boundary (for example, the center boundary 58shown in FIG. 4). This may be referred to as d₁. Another parameter maybe the distance of an embellishment to prongs of a stone (shown at 60 ofFIG. 4) or to other feature of the item. This may be referred to as d₂.Yet another parameter may be the distance of an embellishment to a stoneseat (shown at 62 of FIG. 4). This may be referred to as d₃. Dependingon the item being embellished, other parameters may be used. Further,not all of these parameters may be used.

Reference is made to FIG. 4 regarding the creation of offsets or curves(block 36 of FIG. 3). FIG. 4 illustrates the face 52 of an item 50. Theoffsets or curves 54 are made around the perimeter 56 and centerboundary 58 of the item 50. These offsets or curves 54 may be uniformlyspaced from one another, randomly spaced from one another, or pseudorandomly spaced from one another. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, theoffsets or curves 54 are uniformly spaced from one another. Generally,the curves may be set based on the parameter d₁, the distance of anyembellishment to the center boundary 58.

As shown in FIG. 4, points 64 are set along each of the offsets orcurves 54 (block 38 of FIG. 3). These points 64 are generally setuniformly along the offsets or curves 54. For example, the points 64 maybe provided spaced every 1/1000 or 5/1000 of an inch along each offsetor curve 54. In alternative embodiments, the points 64 may be setrandomly or pseudo-randomly. These points 64 comprise data relating toembellishment placement. At creation, these points 64 may be numberedsequentially. Thus, the first point along a curve may be numbered 1, thenext numbered 2, etc. Randomizing the points 64 (block 40 of FIG. 3) maycomprise shuffling the numbering of the points 64.

FIG. 5 illustrates decorative features 70 of the jewelry item 50 addedover the offsets or curves 54. Points 64 are eliminated based on theadded features 70 as violating set parameter values (block 44 of FIG.3). Specifically, a data structure may be used to track features 70 andpoints 64 and compare the points 64 (or curve data) to the setparameters (d₀, d₁, d₂, d₃, etc.). Any points that violate the setparameters are eliminated. With respect to do, the distance of one pointto another, the points are eliminated sequentially, for example, innumber order. Thus, if point 2 violates d₀ with respect to its positionto point 1, point 2 is eliminated. Because the points are randomlynumbered, the points are eliminated randomly based on d₀ and suchelimination will appear random. Generally, as many points as possiblegiven the values set for the parameters will remain. After pointsviolating the parameter values have been eliminated, the remainingpoints comprise positions for embellishments.

Any data structure may be used for tracking the points and comparing thepoints to the set parameters. For example, the data structure may be atree, a data structure for bucket sorting, or another data structure.The type of data structure (and data) used sets whether algorithms fortracking and eliminating the points are two-dimensional orthree-dimensional. For a three-dimensional structure, the data may beprojected onto a surface.

Other factors may be input depending on the embellishment. For example,for stone embellishments, the number of stone seats, the total carats,the order of stone placement (for example, placement of large stones,then placement of small stones) may be input. These factors may beincorporated into algorithms used by the data structure. Stones arefrequently set within prongs. Using the method to determine stoneplacement, the method may further include changing orientation of theprongs to fit more stones.

Generally, the description herein has related to embellishment placementon a substantially two dimensional substrate. As can be appreciated byone skilled in the art, the system and method for embellishmentplacement may further be applied to three dimensional objects orsubstrates.

After positions for embellishments have been determined, such positionsmay be used to generate a tool path for creation of the item or may beused in a rapid prototyping process.

Although the invention has been described with reference to preferredembodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes maybe made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of determining positions forembellishment placement on an item, the method comprising: determiningat least one parameter; setting values for the at least one parameter;setting points on the item; randomizing the points comprising numberingthe points and shuffling the numbers of the points; eliminating pointsbased on the at least one parameter; and using remaining points aspositions for embellishments.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the atleast one parameter is the distance of one embellishment to another. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one parameter is thedistance of an embellishment to a boundary around a center of the item.4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one parameter is thedistance of an embellishment to a decorative feature of the item.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein setting points on the item comprises creatingoffsets along the item and setting points along the offsets.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, wherein the offsets are uniformly spaced from oneanother.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the offsets are spacedbetween a perimeter of a portion of the item to be embellished and acenter boundary of the portion of the item to be embellished.
 8. Themethod of claim 5, wherein the points are set uniformly along theoffsets.
 9. The method of claim 5, wherein the points are set randomlyalong the offsets.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising placingdecorative features on the item.
 11. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising eliminating points based on the at least one parameter andthe decorative features.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the at leastone parameter is the distance of one embellishment to another andwherein eliminating points based on the at least one parameter compriseseliminating points based on number order.
 13. The method of claim 1,further comprising inputting data regarding an embellishment.
 14. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising compacting the remaining points.15. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining positions forfurther embellishments in space opened by compacting the remainingpoints.
 16. A method for determining positions for embellishmentplacement on a ring, the method comprising: providing a ring face havinga perimeter and a center boundary; determining at least one parameter,the parameter being the distance of one embellishment to another;setting values for the at least one parameter; creating offsets alongthe ring face that are spaced between a perimeter of the ring face and acenter boundary of the ring face; setting points on the offsets;randomizing the points comprising numbering the points and shuffling thenumbers of the points; eliminating points based on the at least oneparameter comprising eliminating points based on number order; and usingremaining points as positions for embellishments.